Disposable tablecloth

ABSTRACT

A disposable tablecloth that can easily convert from a table covering to a bag for collecting and disposing of trash. The disposable tablecloth has a cover that can be made out of fluid impenetrable material, such as plastic, a fluid absorbent material, such as paper or cloth, or one or more layers of fluid impenetrable material and one or more layers of fluid absorbent material. The periphery edge of the cover has a drawstring cavity that can be formed by folding the periphery edge over on the cover. A drawstring is disposed inside the drawstring cavity such that it is suitable for securing the tablecloth to a table and for securely closing the bag. The disposable tablecloth is particularly useful for picnics and craft projects where the tablecloth can be used to gather and dispose of the trash.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to disposable covers ortablecloths for tables that provide a clean surface upon which to placefood, dishes and eating utensils and which are adaptable forconfiguration as a trash bag. In particular, this invention relates tosuch disposable tablecloths that are configured to be securely placed ona table and which can is easily converted to a trash bag for disposingof the refuse associated with its use as a tablecloth.

[0003] B. Background

[0004] It is well known that many people place a covering, such as atablecloth, over a table when eating or working on the table to protectthe surface of the table from damage associated with the use of thetable. For certain types of indoor dining, particularly that which isformal or at least relatively formal, the tablecloth is typically madeof finer materials and often includes a pattern or design to improve theappearance of the tablecloth. These tablecloths tend to be relativelyexpensive and, therefore, are reused. For certain other uses, such ascasual dining, it is not necessary or even desirable that the tableclothbe of the quality described above. Even some restaurants utilize verycasual tablecloths as a way to protect the tops of tables and keep theircosts, including initial purchase cost and cost of cleaning, at a morereasonable level.

[0005] Often the purpose of the tablecloth is not so much as to protectthe table surface as to provide a clean surface upon which to prepareand eat food. This is particularly true for outdoor tables such aspicnic tables, patio tables and the like. It is well known that tableslocated outside, and as such exposed to the elements, tend to collectdirt and other debris that is not conducive to an enjoyable or perhapseven healthy eating experience. In addition, picnic tables located atparks, campgrounds and other public places are subject to use by manypeople over a relatively long period of time. Generally, these outdoortables are not cleaned or sterilized on any type of periodic or routinebasis, if ever, resulting in an accumulation of food and other debris onthe surface of the table. For health and enjoyment purposes, most peopleutilizing these tables place a tablecloth or other covering over thetable so as to separate the table's surface from the surface being usedfor dining or other activities. Generally, the tablecloths used foroutdoor tables are of the less casual type of tablecloth, often being aninexpensive plastic or paper covering.

[0006] One common problem with the use of tablecloths on picnic andother outdoor tables is the need to secure the tablecloth to the tableso as to prevent the tablecloth from being blown off the table by thewind. To secure a tablecloth to a table, many people use clamps orweighted objects, including the food and food materials, rocks and treelimbs. Another problem with the use of standard tablecloths in outdoorsettings is the need to clear off the tablecloth so that it may befolded and stored for future use. Although persons on outdoor picnicsand the like often utilize disposable plates, utensils and other eatingobjects, the typical tablecloth is not disposable. As a result, thetablecloth must be cleared off and any food crumbs or the like wiped orshook off the tablecloth before it is stored away. It would be moreconvenient for the typical picnic participant to not have to separatelyremove the disposable materials and trash and/or clean or shake off thetablecloth. This same convenience would be useful for thosecircumstances when a tablecloth is used as a table covering for craftprojects, particularly those types of craft projects involving asomewhat significant amount of materials which must be disposed, such aspaper mache and like crafts.

[0007] Disposable tablecloths and table coverings are known in the priorart. For instance, it is known that some people layout paper, such ascomes in large rolls, over the top of a table to protect the tableand/or provide a clean eating or working surface. One benefit of thistype of covering is the ability to gather the trash in the paper anddispose of it with the trash. A disposable table covering is alsodisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,050 to Gallant. This table coveringcomprises a generally planar sheet having an integrally formed bag-likestructure, constituting a garbage bag, at one end of the sheet forreceiving the trash remaining from a picnic or other activity. Anadjustable table top cover for protecting the top of tables during amove or other activity is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,219,790 toTaylor. This table cover comprises a three-ply material having amarginal portion of the outer ply formed into a hem for housing adrawstring configured to securely enclose the covering around the top ofthe table while it is being moved.

[0008] The known existing art, both individually and in all appropriatecombinations, indicate that the broad concept of utilizing a table coverto protect a table top and to gather trash and other materials in isknown. On the other hand, none of the known references teach an easy touse, relatively inexpensive to make tablecloth that is configured toboth be securely placed on a table during dining or other use and whichthen can be easily converted to a bag for storing and disposing of trashassociated with that use. What is needed is a relatively inexpensive,easy to use tablecloth that protects the table and provides a cleansurface upon which to eat or engage in other activities that is easilyand quickly converted to use as a trash bag for receiving and disposingof the trash from the dining or other activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The disposable tablecloth of the present invention provides thebenefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, thepresent invention discloses a relatively inexpensive tablecloth that isconfigured for being easily and effectively secured to a table top andfor conversion to a trash bag to receive and dispose of trash. As such,the present invention discloses a disposable tablecloth that provides aclean surface for dining or other activities that will not be easilyblown away by the wind and which, once the dining or activity is done,can be removed from the table top and used to collect and dispose oftrash from the dining or other activity.

[0010] In its broadest form, one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a cover having a periphery edge that is configured to beformed into a bag for storing trash by pulling the periphery edgeoutward (i.e., either upward or downward) relative to the center of thecover such that the periphery edge is brought together, a drawstringcavity located at the periphery edge of the cover and a drawstringdisposed primarily inside the drawstring cavity such that the ends ofthe elongated member are disposed outside of the drawstring cavity. Inthe preferred embodiment, the drawstring comprises an elongated memberthat is configured for securing the disposable tablecloth to a table andclosing/sealing the bag (when the cover is formed in the bagconfiguration). In one embodiment, the cover is shaped and configured ina generally rectangular shape to snugly fit over a rectangular shapedtable, such as typical picnic table. The cover can be made out of afluid impenetrable material, such as plastic, an absorbent material,such as paper or cloth or a combination of a fluid impenetrable materialand an absorbent material. In another embodiment, the cover has one ormore layers of fluid impenetrable material and one or more layers ofabsorbent material. The drawstring cavity can be formed by the peripheryedge of the cover and the drawstring can comprise one or more elongatedmembers disposed at least partially inside the drawstring cavity suchthat at least one end of each elongated member is disposed outside ofthe drawstring cavity.

[0011] Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is toprovide a disposable tablecloth suitable for use on a variety ofdifferent sized or configured tables that overcomes the disadvantagesassociated with presently available disposable tablecloths or coverings.

[0012] It is also an important objective of the present invention toprovide a disposable tablecloth that is configured to be securely placedon the top of a table in a manner that is not easily blown off by thewind.

[0013] It is also an important objective of the present invention toprovide a disposable tablecloth that is relatively inexpensive to makeand which easily converts from a table top cover to a bag for collectingand disposing of trash.

[0014] It is also an important objective of the present invention toprovide a disposable tablecloth that provides a clean surface upon whichto eat or engage in other activities for use on tables, particularlyoutdoor picnic-type of tables.

[0015] It is also an important objective of the present invention toprovide a disposable tablecloth that utilizes a drawstring device tosecure the tablecloth to the top of a table and to securely close thebag when it is used to collect and dispose of trash.

[0016] The above and other objectives of the present invention will beexplained in greater detail by reference to the figures and thedescription of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forthherein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form,construction, mode of operation and combination of parts presentlydescribed and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presentlycontemplated for carrying out the present invention:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disposabletablecloth of the present invention when utilized as a table covering ona rectangular table top;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top sectional view of a of the disposabletablecloth of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 through section 2-2showing the drawstring and drawstring cavity;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a side view of the disposable tablecloth of the presentinvention in use as a trash bag; and

[0021]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional top view of thedisposable tablecloth of FIG. 1 showing the use of paper/cloth andplastic layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] With reference to the figures where like elements have been givenlike numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding ofthe present invention, and particularly with reference to the embodimentof the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the preferredembodiment of the present invention is set forth below. The enclosedfigures and drawings are merely illustrative of the preferredembodiments and represent several different ways of configuring thepresent invention. Although specific components, materials,configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that anumber of variations to the components and to the configuration of thosecomponents described herein and in the accompanying figures can be madewithout changing the scope and function of the invention set forthherein.

[0023] The disposable tablecloth of the present invention is showngenerally as 10 in FIGS. 1 and 3. The principal component of the presentinvention is the shaped cover 12 having a drawstring cavity 14 at theperiphery edge thereof with a drawstring 16 disposed in drawstringcavity 14. In one embodiment of the present invention, disposabletablecloth 10 can have shaped cover 12 that is sized, shaped andconfigured to fit relatively snugly over a specifically size ofrectangular table top (not separately shown), as illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, such that it provides a relatively flat, smooth upper surface 18.Alternatively, cover 12 can be sized, shaped and configured to fitsnugly over other specific sizes and shapes of table tops, such asround, oval, square and other commonly utilized table top shapes. In yetanother alternative embodiment, which may be preferred from a marketingstandpoint due to its flexibility, cover 12 can be of a relativelygeneric size and shape such that a single configuration is suitable forfitting over various sized and shaped tables.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, disposable tablecloth 10 canbe configured to have a generally rectangular shape suitable for usewith commonly utilized rectangular picnic tables and the like. In thisconfiguration, upper surface 18 would be sized to fit across the top ofthe table and opposing sides 20 and 22 along the long sides of the tableand opposing sides 24 and 26 along the short sides of the table. Withthis type of configuration, tablecloth 10 would provide a smooth fit onthe table top. A disadvantage of this type of configuration fortablecloth 10 is that it may not be as versatile as a more genericallyshaped and sized tablecloth.

[0025] Cover 12 can be made out of a variety of different materials thatare suitable for use as a disposable table covering. In the preferredembodiment, cover 12 is made out of a relatively inexpensive paper orplastic, or combination of both materials, that results in aninexpensive disposable tablecloth so that it may be disposed with thetrash after a single use. Although it is preferred that the tablecloth10 of the present invention be made out of inexpensive materials, thematerials must be selected so as to be suitable for use of tablecloth 10as a table covering for dining, crafts and other uses and as a trashbag. As such, it needs to be able to withstand a certain amount of wearand tear and spilling of liquids thereon and then still be able tofunction as a trash bag, as shown in FIG. 3. In the preferredembodiment, tablecloth 10 is made out of a relatively thin plasticsimilar to that used for paint covers so that when it is stretched outon and attached to the top of the table it provides a clean, smoothsurface for eating, making crafts or other activities. In anotherembodiment, shown in FIG. 4, tablecloth 10 is made out of thin film ofplastic or other fluid impenetrable material (shown as 28) affixed toone or more layers of an absorbing material (shown as 30), such aspaper, which configuration is similar to other types of painting covers,so that it can have one or more sides that absorb fluids and either oneside or the middle component being plastic to resist movement of fluidscompletely through cover 12 from or to the table top. As an alternative,or in addition, to the paper layer(s) 30, tablecloth 10 can have one ormore layers of a cloth or cloth-type material that is also capable ofabsorbing spilled fluids or fluids on the table top (i.e., from a wettable top). An example configuration, shown in FIG. 4, utilizes a toplayer of absorbing material 30, a middle layer of fluid impenetrablematerial and a bottom layer of absorbing material 30. Otherconfigurations, such as a single layer of absorbing material and asingle layer of fluid impenetrable material, are also suitable.

[0026] At the periphery edge 32 of cover 12 is drawstring cavity 14enclosing drawstring 16. Drawstring cavity 14 can be configured from afolded over portion of cover 12 that is stitched, glued or otherwisejoined with cover 12 to form an enclosed cavity 14 suitable fordrawstring 16. As one example, a similar configuration is used onplastic trash bags and the like. If desired, a thin tubular member (notshown) can be positioned inside drawstring cavity 14 such thatdrawstring 16 is located inside the tubular member so as to provideimproved tear resistance when drawstring 16 is pulled tight to secure itto the table, as shown in FIG. 1, or close it in its bag configuration,as shown in FIG. 3. Although not preferred due to the expense ofmanufacturing tablecloth 10, drawstring cavity 14 can be a separateelement that is affixed to periphery edge 32 of cover 12.

[0027] Drawstring 16 should comprise an elongated member suitable forenclosing in drawstring cavity 14 with one or more ends protruding fromdrawstring cavity 14 and for pulling at its end(s) so as to drawtablecloth 10 taut around the table top, as shown in FIG. 1, or to closetablecloth 10 in a bag, as shown in FIG. 3. Drawstring 16 can be anelongated string, rope, plastic strip, wire or various other elongatedmembers known in the art of trash bags, laundry bags and the like. Inone configuration, shown in the figures, drawstring 16 is a singlecontinuous elongated member that is engaged in the entire length ofdrawstring cavity 14 with its opposite ends meeting at a singlelocation, such as the corner shown in FIG. 1. In another configuration,drawstring 16 comprises two or more separate elongated members that areaffixed at one end inside drawstring cavity 14 with the opposite endextending outside of said drawstring cavity 14 so the outer ends ofdrawstring 16 can be joined together or with each of the ends extendingout of drawstring cavity 14 such that the ends of one elongated membercan join together with the ends of another elongated member.

[0028] In use, tablecloth 10 of the present invention is opened andplaced over the top of a table such that it covers the table, as shownin FIG. 1, with the outer periphery edge 32 and drawstring cavity 14over the top of the table. The ends of drawstring 16 extending outsideof drawstring cavity 14 are pulled to stretch cover 12 over the top ofthe table. If cover 12 is configured with fluid impenetrable layer 28 onone side and absorbing layer 30 on the opposite side, the user willgenerally, although not necessarily, place the impenetrable (i.e.,plastic) layer 28 down against the top of the table and the fluidabsorbing (i.e., paper or plastic) layer 30 facing up. If used forpicnicking or other dining, the food, dishes and utensils are placed onthe clean, smooth upper side 18. When the dining, craft or otheractivity is completed, the materials that are to be kept, such as gooddishes, containers and the like, are removed from tablecloth 10 and thematerials that are to be disposed (i.e., trash) is left on thetablecloth 10. These trash materials are gathered up with tablecloth 10by pulling periphery edge 32 around it to form the bag shape, as shownin FIG. 3, and drawstring 16 is pulled to close the bag and seal thetrash therein. In this manner, the entire trash material and tablecloth(bag) can be disposed at once, thereby eliminating several steps ofclearing, cleaning and disposing.

[0029] While there is shown and described herein certain specificalternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but issusceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design andmaterials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subjectto modification with regard to the dimensional relationships set forthherein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable tablecloth, comprising: a coverhaving a periphery edge, said cover configured to be formed into a bagfor storing trash; a drawstring cavity at said periphery edge of saidcover; and a drawstring comprising an elongated member disposedprimarily inside said drawstring cavity such that the ends of saidelongated member are disposed outside of said drawstring cavity, saiddrawstring configured for securing said disposable tablecloth to a tableand closing said bag.
 2. The disposable tablecloth according to claim 1,wherein said cover is shaped and configured in a generally rectangularshape.
 3. The disposable tablecloth according to claim 1, wherein saidcover is made out of a fluid impenetrable material.
 4. The disposabletablecloth according to claim 3, wherein said fluid impenetrablematerial is plastic.
 5. The disposable tablecloth according to claim 1,wherein said cover is made out of an absorbent material.
 6. Thedisposable tablecloth according to claim 5, wherein said absorbentmaterial is cloth, paper or a combination thereof.
 7. The disposabletablecloth according to claim 1, wherein said cover has one or morelayers of fluid impenetrable material and one or more layers ofabsorbent material.
 8. The disposable tablecloth according to claim 1,wherein said fluid impenetrable material is plastic and said absorbentmaterial is cloth, paper or a combination thereof.
 9. The disposabletablecloth according to claim 1, wherein said drawstring cavity isformed by said periphery edge of said cover.
 10. A disposabletablecloth, comprising: a cover having a periphery edge, said coverconfigured to be formed into a bag for storing trash, said cover havingone or more layers of fluid impenetrable material and one or more layersof absorbent material; a drawstring cavity at said periphery edge ofsaid cover, said drawstring cavity is formed by said periphery edge ofsaid cover; and a drawstring configured for securing said disposabletablecloth to a table and closing said bag.
 11. The disposabletablecloth according to claim 10, wherein said fluid impenetrablematerial is plastic.
 12. The disposable tablecloth according to claim10, wherein said absorbent material is cloth, paper or a combinationthereof.
 13. The disposable tablecloth according to claim 10, whereinsaid fluid impenetrable material is plastic and said absorbent materialis cloth, paper or a combination thereof.
 14. The disposable tableclothaccording to claim 10, wherein said drawstring comprises one or moreelongated members disposed at least partially inside said drawstringcavity such that at least one end of each of said elongated members isdisposed outside of said drawstring cavity.